Course: CM6420-S6: Christian Theologies in Asia
Semester: Spring 2007 (Second Half)
Time: Monday 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Room: Northwestern Hall 251
Professor: Dr. Charles Amjad-Ali
Office: 210G Northwestern Hall
Office Hours: Wednesday
By Appointment at extension 523 or camjad@luthersem.edu
Course Description:
Asia is
the largest continent in the world with some over 60% of the world population
and 22% of the total number of countries. It is highly diverse and with some of
the oldest civilizations on record, there are however deep differences and even
divisions in Asia. Those in control of its destiny in recent years have tried
to carve it into many smaller pieces because of these old and abiding
differences and divisions. The “
This
course is primarily concerned with introducing the students even though ever so
briefly to the theological terrain which has been traversed by the Christians
of Asia over the last century or so. We are not simply concerned with the
content of their theology and confessional positions; we are more concerned
about their epistemology which grounds their theological understanding, task
and discourse and faith praxes, including their understanding of the missio dei.
This
sphere of inquiry remains an arena of deep-rooted dispute and even acrimony
between scholars. Based on the missionary heritage and the dominance of the western
theological method, these Asian theologians have faced the dilemma that if they
wish to apply the nomenclature of theology to their efforts, they must do so in
identical fashion to the western theological method in most essential respects
or they will be reduced to what has been called “genitive” theology, cf. “theology
of…” They are never be given the full credit of normative theological task. Thus
the western theology is universal and all other theologies are particular and
specific. So the argument goes that all theologies either follow the same
method and parameters utilized in the west or be relegated to the margin of yet
another genitive theology which has no more relevance than a subjective
contextuality.
Requirements:
a) highlight the issue(s) which the author is focusing on and covering;
b) explain the logic and rationale the author follows to explain the problem and look for its resolutions;
c) having accomplished the first two steps, only then should you approach the third step which is to first critique the logic and method applied to deal with the issue(s) and then discuss whether the parameters and various components of the issue(s) have been laid out as you think they should and then give your own opinion on this issue(s). If you make such a critique you should give solid reasons for the critique.
d) Given the size of the class and brief time we have together we may have four such presentations per class.
For assignment 2 and 3 you need to sign up immediately on the reading of your choice below.
There will be a final paper of 8-10 double space pages to be submitted on the day of the final exam as indicated in the catalogue, i.e., May 17, except for the graduating students for whom it is due on May 14 for their graduation requirement. These dates are not negotiable.
Bibliography:
I am giving below the over all bibliography which I feel
we need to cover but given the brief time we have together, I have made the
essential reading available at following link www.luthersem.edu/camjad/CM6420/cm6420readinglist.htm
Recommended Reading List
1.
Commission of Theological Concerns of the Christian
Conference of
2. Elwood, Douglas J., What Asian Christians Are Thinking: A Theological Source Book (Quezon City, Philippines: New Day Publishers, 1976) BT30.A8 W5
3. Joseph, M.P., ed. Confronting Life: Theology out of the Context (Delhi: ISPCK, 1995) BT30.D44 C66
4. King, Ursula, ed., Feminist Theology from the Third World: A Reader (Maryknoll, New York: 1994) BT83.55 .F453
5.
Koyama, Kosuke,
6. Koyama, Kosuke, Water Buffalo Theology: (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1999) BR85. K7 1999
7.
Phan, Peter C., In Our Own Tongues: Perspectives
from Asia on Mission and Inculturation (
8. Pieris, Aloysius, Love Meets Wisdom: A Christian Experience of Buddhism (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1988) BR128.B9 P54
9. Pieris, Aloysius, An Asian Theology of Liberation (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1988) BT83.57 .P52
10. Samartha, S.J. Courage for Dialogue: Ecumenical Issues in Inter-Religious Relationships (Geneva: World Council of Churches, 1981) BR127 .S24
11. Samartha, S.J. One Christ – Many Religions: Toward a Revised Christology (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1991) BT205 .S25
12. Song, C.S., Third Eye Theology (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1979) BT78 .S66
13. Song, C.S., Christian Mission in Reconstruction: An Asian Analysis (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1975) BV3151. S66
14. Sugirtharajah, R.S., Asian Biblical Hermeneutics and Postcolonialism: Contesting the Interpretations (Maryknoll, Orbis Books, 1998) BS 476 .S93
15. Sugirtharajah,
R.S., The Bible and the
16. Sugirtharajah,
R.S., Postcolonial Criticism and Biblical Interpretation (
17. Sugirtharajah,
R.S., Postcolonial Reconfigurations: An Alternative Way of Reading the Bible
and Doing Theology (
18. Thomas, M.M. Some Theological Dialogues (Madras, India: Diocesan Press, 1977) BT30.I6 C5 no.14
19. Thomas,
M.M. The Acknowledged Christ of the Indian Renaissance (London:
Week 1: April 2:
General Introduction to the course, its themes and issues.
Easter Break: April
5-10
Week 2: April 16:
General Introduction to the themes and issues continued.
Week 3: April 23:
Elwood, Douglas J., What
Asian Christians Are Thinking: A Theological Source Book (Quezon City, Philippines:
New Day Publishers, 1976).
Commission of Theological
Concerns of the Christian Conference of Asia, ed., Minjung Theology: People
as the Subjects of History (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1983 revised
edition).
Emerito P. Nacpil, "The Critical
Asian Principle" pp. 3-6
Christian Conference of Asia, "The
Confessing Church in Asia and the Mission of the Church" pp. 41-46
Bong Rin Ro, "Contextualization:
Asian Theology" pp. 47-58
Saphir P. Athyal, "Toward
an Asian Christian Theology" pp. 68-84
Paulos Gregorios, "On
God's Death: An Orthodox Contribution to the Problem of Knowing God"
pp. 159-172
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Week 4: April 30:
Commission of Theological Concerns of the Christian Conference of Asia, ed., Minjung Theology: People as the Subjects of History (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1983 revised edition).
D. Preman Niles, "Introduction"
pp. 1-11
Suh Kwang-sun David, "Korean
Theological Development in the 1970s" pp. 38-46
Suh Nam-dong, "Toward
a Theology of Han" pp. 55-72
Moon Hee-suk Cyris, "An Old
Testament Understanding of Minjung" pp. 123-137
Ahn Byung-mu, "Jesus
and the Minjung in the Gospel of Mark" pp. 138-154
Kim Yong-bock, "Messiah
and Minjung: Discerning Messianic Politics over against Political Messianism"
pp. 183-194
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Week 5: May 7:
King, Ursula, ed., Feminist
Theology from the Third World: A Reader (Maryknoll, New York: 1994)
Kwok Pui-lan, "The
Future of Feminist Theology: An Asian Perspective" pp. 63-76
Marianne Katoppo, "The
Church and Prostitution in Asia" pp. 114-123
Yayori Matsui, "Violence
against Women in Development, Militarism, and Culture" pp. 124-134
Swarnalatha Devi, "The
Struggle of Dalit Christian Women in India" pp. 135-138
Marianne Katoppo, "The
Concept of God and the Spirit from the Feminist Perspective" pp.
244-250
Mary John Mananzan, "Theological
Perspectives of a Religious Woman Today— Four trends of the Emerging
Spirituality" pp. 340-350
Aruna Gnanadason, "Women
and Spirituality in Asia" pp. 351-360
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Week 6: May 14: General Themes and Conclusions.
Pieris, Aloysius, An Asian Theology of Liberation
(Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1988)
Chapter 7: "Toward
an Asian Theology of Liberation" pp 69-86; 131-133
Chapter 8: "The
Place of Non-Christian Religions and Cultures in the Evolution of Third World
Theology:" pp 87-110; 133-136
Chapter 9: "A
Theology of Liberation in Asian Churches?" pp 111-126; 136-137
Song, C.S., Third Eye Theology (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1979)
Chapter
10: “A
Political God” pp. 200-22; 272-273
Chapter 12: “The
Politics of the Resurrection” pp. 243-259; 274
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Discussion
leader: _________________________
Responder: _________________________
Final
Class discussion on the impact of the class
May 17: Final Exams and Papers Due